The Beatles - 1

The Beatles' Greatest Achievement: 27 Number-One Classics on Vinyl

The Beatles' 1 is the definitive greatest hits compilation of The Beatles, carefully curated to chronicle their extraordinary evolution from tentative rock and roll pioneers into era-defining songwriters and studio innovators. Originally released on November 13, 2000, this landmark collection features every number-one hit single The Beatles achieved in either the United Kingdom or United States from 1962 to 1970—a stunning 27 tracks spanning nearly a decade of innovation that changed popular music forever. Compiled by legendary producer George Martin and surviving members Paul McCartney, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr, this chronologically-organized journey reveals the breadth of Beatles musical vision: from charming pop confections and guitar-driven rock and roll through to psychedelic experimentation, orchestral sophistication, and avant-garde studio techniques. The 2015 remaster by Giles Martin and Sam Okell at Abbey Road Studios brings fresh clarity to these timeless recordings while preserving their essential character. This premium 180-gram gatefold vinyl edition offers the ultimate tactile listening experience, including collectible art postcards and a poster celebrating the iconic single artwork from across the decades, making it an essential addition to any serious music collection.

Features

• 27 Number-One Singles: Every #1 hit from the UK or US charts, 1962-1970
• Chronological Journey: Traces The Beatles' artistic evolution across the decade
• Premium Vinyl: 180-gram heavyweight vinyl for superior sound quality
• Gatefold Packaging: Deluxe presentation with original artwork and design
• Collectible Art Cards: Four 4-color postcard-sized images (11\" x 8.5\")
• Poster: 4-color gloss poster (33\" x 22\") featuring iconic single sleeves
• 2015 Abbey Road Remaster: Newly remixed by Giles Martin and Sam Okell
• Double LP Format: Two discs spanning The Beatles' complete singles journey
• Comprehensive Tracklist: 27 essential tracks including legendary hits and rare combinations

Compilation Overview

• Title: 1 (The Beatles)
• Release Date: November 13, 2000
• Compiler: George Martin, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, Ringo Starr
• Genre: Rock, Pop, Psychedelia
• Total Tracks: 27 Number-One Singles
• Recording Span: September 1962 - April 1970
• Album Type: Compilation, Greatest Hits, Singles Collection

Complete Tracklist

• Side A
  1. Love Me Do
  2. From Me To You
  3. She Loves You
  4. I Want To Hold Your Hand
  5. Can't Buy Me Love
  6. A Hard Day's Night
  7. I Feel Fine
  8. Eight Days A Week
• Side B
  1. Ticket To Ride
  2. Help!
  3. Yesterday
  4. Day Tripper
  5. We Can Work It Out
  6. Paperback Writer
  7. Yellow Submarine
  8. Eleanor Rigby
• Side C
  1. Penny Lane
  2. All You Need Is Love
  3. Hello, Goodbye
  4. Lady Madonna
  5. Hey Jude
• Side D
  1. Get Back
  2. The Ballad Of John And Yoko
  3. Something
  4. Come Together
  5. Let It Be
  6. The Long And Winding Road

Producer Credits

• Original Compilation: George Martin, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, Ringo Starr
• 2015 Remaster: Giles Martin (Producer)
• 2015 Remaster: Sam Okell (Mix Engineer)
• Mastering: Abbey Road Studios, London
• Original Recording Label: Apple Records / EMI

Commercial Success & Chart Performance

• Worldwide: 31 million copies sold, #1 in 35+ countries
• United States: #1 on Billboard 200, 595,000+ copies first week, 8 non-consecutive weeks at #1, 5.1 million copies in 2000 alone, 6th best-selling US album of 2000
• United Kingdom: #15 Beatles album to hit #1, 319,126 copies first week, 2000's best-selling album within 5 weeks, 2nd best-selling Beatles album in UK history (after Sgt Pepper's)
• Global Recognition: Best-selling album of the decade worldwide, fastest-selling compilation album of all time upon release
• Additional Markets: Year's biggest-selling album in Australia, Italy, Sweden; topped charts in Canada, Austria, Germany, Japan, Spain, Netherlands, and 30+ other countries

About The 2015 Vinyl Reissue

• Format: 180-Gram Gatefold Vinyl Double LP (2LP)
• Remaster Date: 2015 by Abbey Road Studios
• Producer: Giles Martin (son of legendary producer George Martin)
• Mix Engineer: Sam Okell
• Special Features: Four collectible art postcards featuring single artwork, 33\" x 22\" four-color gloss poster with iconic sleeve designs
• Sound Quality: Premium heavyweight 180-gram vinyl for optimal fidelity and surface noise reduction
• Packaging: Deluxe gatefold sleeve with detailed liner notes and historical information

The Beatles: Band Overview

• Members: John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, Ringo Starr (and predecessors Pete Best, Stuart Sutcliffe)
• Origin: Liverpool, England
• Active Years: 1960-1970
• Musical Impact: Most influential rock band of the 20th century
• Producer: George Martin (The Fifth Beatle)
• Label: Apple Records (later EMI/Capitol)
• Chart Achievement: Most #1 singles of any act in music history

Notable Album Track Selection Notes

• Album Representation: 1 charts 27 number-one singles spanning 9 studio albums plus singles releases
• Chronological Flow: Opens with \"Love Me Do\" (1962) and closes with \"The Long And Winding Road\" (1970)
• Omissions Explained: Album focuses on #1 hits in US Billboard 100 or UK charts; notable exclusions like \"Strawberry Fields Forever\" and \"Revolution\" were B-sides or double A-sides that charted lower
• Selection Logic: \"Love Me Do\" included though only #17 UK because it was #1 in US; \"Eight Days A Week\" included as US single release
• Comprehensive Overview: Despite selectivity, provides thorough overview of Beatles' chart success and artistic growth

Why This Album Matters

• Historical Document: Charts The Beatles' evolution from pop to psychedelia to experimentation
• Gateway Album: Perfect introduction for new listeners to The Beatles' greatest achievements
• Commercial Triumph: Fastest-selling compilation album ever released
• Artistic Significance: Curated by three surviving Beatles members—represents their own assessment of their legacy
• Production Innovation: Remastered by Giles Martin using modern techniques while preserving original character
• Vinyl Appreciation: Premium 180-gram pressing respects vinyl format, providing superior sound quality for collectors
• Cultural Impact: Represents 27 different moments of global chart dominance spanning an unparalleled decade

Collector's Notes

• 2015 Remaster Edition: Features newly remixed stereo versions at Abbey Road Studios by Giles Martin
• Additional Deluxe Edition Available: The 1+ (One Plus) special edition includes video disc with promotional films, footage commentary by Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr, and 124-page hardback book
• Vinyl Specifications: 180-gram heavyweight vinyl, 33 ⅓ RPM, gatefold jacket with comprehensive artwork
• Included Collectibles: Four art postcards (11\" x 8.5\") and color poster (33\" x 22\") featuring iconic original single sleeves
• Investment Grade: 31 million copies sold worldwide makes this a significant cultural artifact and sonic document

Critical Reception

• Commercially Unstoppable: 13.8 million copies sold in 2000 alone, becoming the fastest-selling compilation album of all time
• Cultural Milestone: Represented the culmination of The Beatles' chart legacy and became the decade's best-selling album
• Essential Document: Recognized as definitive introduction to The Beatles' music and artistic achievement
• Timeless Appeal: Continues to introduce new generations to the band 25+ years after its release

Notes

• This compilation was originally released on CD and cassette worldwide on November 13, 2000, with vinyl editions initially available only in the UK
• The 2015 reissue brought complete remixes by acclaimed producer Giles Martin, son of The Beatles' legendary producer George Martin
• The Beatles never released a comprehensive compilation during their active years; 1 became their definitive greatest hits album and introduced millions to their catalogue
• The chronological presentation allows listeners to hear the band's remarkable artistic evolution from simple rock and roll to sophisticated studio artistry
• All songs published by Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC except \"Something\" & \"Here Comes The Sun\" (Harrisongs Ltd.) and \"Octopus's Garden\" (Startling Music/BMG Platinum)
• Includes \"Her Majesty\" as an unlisted hidden track, placed 14 seconds after \"The End\" as originally released
• For collectors: The gatefold packaging and premium 180-gram vinyl honor both the album's cultural significance and the vinyl format's inherent superiority for high-fidelity listening
• Perfect for Beatles enthusiasts, vinyl collectors, music historians, and anyone seeking to understand the band that changed popular music forever